North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un asserted that his nation would not hesitate to deploy nuclear weapons if provoked by South Korea and its ally, the United States, as reported by state media.
The relationship between the Koreas has plunged to a remarkably low ebb, with South Korea recently showcasing its military prowess in a parade that featured the formidable “monster” missile designed for penetrating bunkers. During this event, President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a stark warning to Kim, suggesting that any nuclear strike would signal the end of the North Korean regime.
In a rather peculiar turn of events, North Korea has been sending balloons filled with bags of trash across the border, and early this morning, these odd aerial messages were spotted drifting over Seoul. The South Korean military confirmed that balloon launches were detected during the night.
If foreign forces were to threaten North Korea’s sovereignty, Mr. Kim declared it would not think twice about unleashing all its military might, including its nuclear arsenal. This proclamation was conveyed through the official Korean Central News Agency, establishing a clear stance on the use of offensive weapons.
In response to President Yoon’s threatening remarks surrounding the potential end of his regime, Kim lambasted him for his comments and for “screaming” about the alliance between the U.S. and South Korea.
While South Korea lacks its own nuclear arsenal, it enjoys the security guarantee offered by the United States, which has stationed around 28,500 troops in the South since the Korean War concluded in 1953 without a formal peace treaty.
According to the KCNA, Kim accused both South Korea and the U.S. of jeopardizing regional security and peace, labeling the South Korean leader as “an abnormal man.”
During the military parade held in honor of South Korea’s Armed Forces Day, fighter jets roared over the capital, and armored tanks rumbled through the streets. This year marked the debut of South Korea’s most advanced ballistic missile, the Hyunmoo-5, capable of neutralizing underground threats.
Additionally, an American B-1B heavy bomber joined the festivities, accompanied by F-15K fighter jets. The U.S. occasionally deploys nuclear assets to the Korean Peninsula to reinforce its commitment to defending South Korea against the growing threats emanating from the North.
At the same ceremony, President Yoon proclaimed that any attempt by North Korea to utilize nuclear weaponry would result in a determined and overwhelming response from both the military of South Korea and its ally, the United States. “That day will mark the conclusion of the North Korean regime,” he emphasized.
Looking ahead, North Korea is reportedly set to terminate a significant inter-Korean agreement forged in 1991 during upcoming parliamentary discussions, as per South Korea’s unification ministry. This action is part of Kim’s broader strategy to formally classify the South as an adversarial entity.
Earlier this year, Kim called for the removal of clauses related to reunification from the North Korean constitution and moved to dismantle agencies focused on fostering better relations with the South.
In a worrisome development, North Korea recently revealed images of a uranium enrichment facility, showcasing Kim’s visit to the site. He urged the need for more centrifuges to bolster the nation’s nuclear inventory. Following this revelation, South Korea’s intelligence agency conveyed that this unprecedented display was directed towards the U.S., surmising that North Korea could potentially manufacture a double-digit arsenal of nuclear weapons.
In a recent statement, a politician disclosed that the National Intelligence Service had indicated the possibility of North Korea executing another nuclear test—its seventh—following the U.S. elections in November.
Thus, the intricate tapestry of tensions on the Korean Peninsula continues to unravel, with both sides entrenched in a potentially explosive situation, underscoring the urgent need for dialogue amidst threats of annihilation.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
